BAINBRIDGE ISLAND - Bainbridge will have two public works directors on the payroll this summer.

John Cunningham, a former public works director for Sammamish, was announced as interim public works director late last week. He will lead the department while the city searches for a successor to Lance Newkirk, who announced his resignation April 26.

Meanwhile, the city placed Newkirk on a two-month paid administrative leave as part of a separation agreement negotiated in April. His leave began June 1 and will continue through the end of July, according to the agreement, obtained through a records request. The paid leave was negotiated as part of the agreement and was not a stipulation of his original contract.

Newkirk also will receive severance pay equivalent to two months of his regular salary when his leave ends July 31. Newkirk’s base annual salary is $131,088, according to the city. Between the paid leave and the severance pay, he will receive nearly $44,000, as well as accrued vacation time, after departing City Hall.

Newkirk agreed to help the department transition to new leadership. He will be paid $60 an hour in consulting fees for any significant assistance he provides the city after July, according to the agreement.

Newkirk was given 21 days to review the separation pact. He signed it April 24.

Newkirk worked for the city for more than 15 years and served four years as public works director. He took over leadership of the department on an interim basis following the departures of Randy Witt and Bob Earl in 2009. Former City Manager Brenda Bauer removed his interim tag in 2010. Doug Schulze was hired to succeed Bauer late last year.

Schulze and Newkirk struck a cordial tone in the announcement of Newkirk’s resignation in April.

“I sincerely wish the city all the best going forward as I leave to pursue other interests and opportunities,” Newkirk said in the announcement.

Cunningham began his interim tenure Monday, according to an announcement from Schulze. Cunningham was public works director for Sammamish from 2006 until retiring in 2010. He was previously a deputy public works director for Olympia and public works director for DuPont. Cunningham, who is paid on an hourly contract, will oversee the Bainbridge department through the busy summer construction season.

Schulze said he planned to launch the search for a new director later this month. He expects the search to take four months.